Tree harvester

Abstract

A method and system for operating a tree harvesting machine including a tree harvesting tool are provided. The method may include identifying a tree to be harvested, generating one or more tree position signals indicative of a position of the tree, and controlling movement of the tree harvesting tool toward the tree as a function of the one or more tree position signals. The system may include a tree position sensor operable to generate one or more tree position signals indicative of a position of a tree. The system may further include a controller operable to receive the one or more tree position signals. The controller may be further operable to generate one or more tool control signals for controlling movement of the tree harvesting tool toward the tree as a function of the one or more tree position signals.

1. A method for operating a tree harvesting machine including a tree harvesting tool and a controller, wherein the method is performed by the controller, the method comprising:
 identifying a tree to be harvested; 
 generating one or more tree position signals indicative of a position of the tree, wherein generating one or more tree position signals includes generating a signal indicative of a direction of the location of the tree with respect to the tree harvesting machine; 
 generating one or more tree harvesting tool position signals indicative of a position of the tree harvesting tool; 
 determining the position of the tree relative to the tree harvesting tool; 
 prompting an operator to provide a trigger signal when the controller has determined the position of the tree relative to the tree harvesting tool; 
 receiving the trigger signal; 
 executing an automatic positioning sequence in response to the trigger signal; 
 automatically generating a tool control signal; and 
 controlling movement of the tree harvesting tool toward the tree with the tool control signal as a function of the one or more tree position signals and the one or more tree harvesting tool position signals. 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating one or more tree position signals further includes generating a distance signal indicative of a distance between the tree and at least one component of the tree harvesting machine. 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating the signal indicative of the direction of the location of the tree with respect to the tree harvesting machine includes generating a signal indicative of at least one of a direction having a component in a generally horizontal plane and a direction having the component in a generally vertical plane. 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating one or more tree position signals includes generating a distance signal indicative of a distance between the tree and at least one component of the tree harvesting machine. 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating one or more tree position signals includes comparing the position of the tree with respect to one or more alignment points on the tree harvesting machine. 
   
   
     6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating one or more tree position signals includes operating a position sensor in the direction of the tree. 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of operating the position sensor includes operating an ultrasonic sensor. 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of operating the position sensor includes operating a laser sensor. 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tree harvesting machine includes an operator's station and a button disposed within the operator's station, wherein the trigger signal is generated when the button device is operated. 
   
   
     10. The method of  claim 1 , including causing the tree harvesting tool to cut the tree. 
   
   
     11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of controlling movement of the tree harvesting tool toward the tree includes controlling movement of the tree harvesting tool from a location remote from the tree to a location proximate the tree. 
   
   
     12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more tree position signals is generated by an alignment device including a plurality of discrete alignment points for indicating the position of the tree relative to the tree harvesting machine. 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the position sensor is operable to communicate vertical and horizontal tree position data to the controller in response to an operator input associated with at least one of the plurality of alignment points. 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the alignment points are a plurality of vertically and horizontally arranged posts or lights. 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tree harvesting machine includes an operator's station, wherein prompting the operator to provide the trigger signal includes activating a light disposed in the operator's station.